Me, too, Claire!

Anika has big news!!! Anika is a big girl. She has been wearing panties for THREE days (with only 1 accident). I'm so proud of her. My friend, Deb, gave her daughter, Claire, Dora the Explorer Cereal if she was dry for a day. Well, I think it should be the latest in potty training techniques. Anika was so excited about eating her Dora Cereal. That and Potty Time Elmo were instrumental in this amazing turn around. (Although I not excited about the amazing influence that television characters have on my child, I couldn't be happier about losing the diapers and pull-ups.)

Swingers:-)

Maternal instincts

I stepped away from Andrew for just a moment and. . .

Playset Complete???

Could it be? I think this is the last "update" on the playset that I will be posting. The swings are now swinging -- and Anika couldn't be happier. It has been interesting to watch Anika's preferences change as each new item appeared. Initially she would climb the ladder over and over. Now, I don't think she has used the ladder in weeks. Then it was the slide, then the ramp. Now the swings are her favorite. What a piece of paradise in our backyard! I'm looking forward to some cooler fall days to enjoy it even more. Anyone want to come over for a playdate???

Biking

Well, we FINALLY made use of our bike gear this week. Now that Andrew is more comfortable sitting up we were more comfortable putting him in the Burley trailer. Anika LOVES bike rides -- and she has been really good about sharing space with her brother. (This is especially nice as he tends to lean on her as the ride progresses.)


Despite the look on his face, Andrew really does enjoy our rides:-)

More IL vacation pics

Anika LOVED getting rides on the lawn mower with Grandpa.

It is so rare that I get a picture taken of me -- and then my kiddos don't cooperate. Such is life!

Anika is getting to be a pretty brave little water rat. She had a blast jumping into the pool, especially when Karissa, Ian, and Uncle Jeff would chant "Anika, Anika, Anika".

Anika with Grammie and Grandpa's dog, Rusty.

Aunt Hilary and Uncle Jason

Hilary and Jason became aunt and uncle for the seventh time while we were visiting. Jason's sister, Julie, had a little girl - Jillian Pearl on Thursday night. They are great in their roles as aunt and uncle.

Andrew and Friend

Andrew was mesmerized by this butterfly as it flew around and then suddenly it landed on his hand. Even more amazing, I was able to get a picture of it!!!

Phase Two construction

The play set saga continues. . . The swing set beam is in place -- with a little help from our neighbors and friends, Paul and Nathan. After we attach the swings, the playset should be complete. What a project this turned out to be. However, Anika loves it and Daddy loved building it. (A true labor of love -- I have new respect for those who do hard labor in 90+ degree heat!)

Andrew is sitting up!

It was a big day yesterday. Andrew started sitting up! I've been a little bit anxious about him learning this skill since he is now seven months old. It seems that he was just waiting for his own timing. He wasn't sitting up at all and yesterday he sat for 1/2 hour or so. I still have the boppy pillow to support him but he doesn't even need it. Yeah!!!

Jumping Andrew

Andrew has discovered a new love - the jumper. He learned this new skill at Grandma and Grandpa's but loves his at home too. He will bounce and bounce and bounce. . .

Anika the bibliophile

Anika loves reading or being read too. Here she entertains her baby doll with "The Cat in the Hat".

Play time

Aunt Heather, Ali, and Ian play with Andrew.By the end of the week, Anika (2 1/2) and Ali (3) were best of friends. They played together so nicely it was hard to interrupt them for nap time. (But we were all better for it!)

The midwest humidity created tons of curls in Anika's hair. Too bad we live in such a dry climate!
What's better than a dip in the pool, a sand box, and cousins????

Great Grandpa

My grandpa came out to visit since we were home. It was a great time to see him and Edna. Andrew enjoyed meeting his great-grandpa!


Great-grandpa and the great grand kids:-)

Picture Perfect

What a blessing it was to all be together. It seems impossible to capture it on film. (We meant to get a whole family picture but that never happened. Thank goodness we at least have this of the kids with Grandma and Grandpa!)

Grandpa and his grandkids

Anika and Andrew enjoyed every minute of their time with Grandpa. Although she was often squealing with fright as he chased her around, Anika was also comfortable enough to fall asleep in his arms during a long day at the museum.

A smiling Andrew shows off his new Cubs gear from Aunt Hilary and Uncle Jason.

Time with Grammie

Grandma loved spending time with all of her girls. What a wonderful time to be together. Anika also loved being at "Grammie's" house and playing with Ali and Karissa.

Lloyd's Ride

Lloyd and our brother-in-law, Jeff, who is also a pastor, enjoyed Dad's corvette. They were able to take it out for a road trip to meet some friends for dinner. (They had to keep it awfully close to the speed limit because they knew they would be sitting ducks for the police -- two "young" guys in a cherry red corvette.) Hey, why should the televangelists get to have all the fun????

Anika and Eli

Anika has had quite a summer meeting new baby cousins. This week she met her new cousin, Eli McIlrath. She loves to hold this little baby. She also loves to spend time with her cousins, especially Karissa.

Taking a Snooze

Andrew conked out in the swing while we were playing outside.

Playing in the sand box

More Playset

Another day off, another phase complete. Lloyd was able to finish the ramp for the playset. It is nice not to have an open hole at the top. Anika is "way excited".

Daddy and Kids